Angels owner Arte Moreno anticipates that 2025 will be a season of change for the Los Angeles Angels. The club is coming off its worst season in franchise history in 2024, finishing 63-99, surpassing its previous worst record of 67-95 in 1967.
Moreno didn’t spend his money on a single big name like many Angels teams have done in the past, like Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols and Anthony Rendon. Instead, he spread the wealth around to many different free agents to try and fill in the gaps on the major league roster.
The team gave out multi-year deals to starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and catcher Travis D’Arnaud, traded for outfielder and projected designated hitter Jorge Soler and took one-year risks on starter Kyle Hendricks, reliever Kenley Jansen and infielders Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Kevin Newman.
Because of these signings, many fans online made jokes about how great the lineup would’ve been in 2019 if all of these players were in their prime.
These veterans should help this young core, which is looking to take a big step forward this year. The Angels’ youth consists of catcher Logan O’Hoppe, infielders Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel, outfielders Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak, and pitchers Jose Soriano, Reid Detmers, and Ben Joyce.
Plus, the Angels’ top two prospects in starting pitcher Caden Dana and second baseman Christian Moore could join the team at some point during the season. Manager Ron Washington will aim to continue to mold these younger players into being greats for the Angels’ future.
Here’s a look at the Angels’ potential roster:
Lineup:
1. LF Taylor Ward
2. 2B Luis Rengifo
3. RF Mike Trout
4. DH Jorge Soler
5. C Logan O’Hoppe
6. 1B Nolan Schanuel
7. 3B Yoan Moncada
8. CF Jo Adell
9. SS Tim Anderson
With regular starting shortstop Neto hurt, Anderson will fill in as the starter in what could be his last chance to stick in MLB after slashing .214/.237/.226 and posting a -1.5 bWAR with the Miami Marlins last season.
Moncada is also another hopeful bounce-back candidate for the Angels after only appearing in 12 games last season due to injury.
Speaking of injuries, the Angels are desperate for a healthy season from Mike Trout, especially since Anthony Rendon will be out for the year. Trout has played in at least 100 games only twice in the last six years and the Halos would love for him to stay on the field and be the MVP player he once was (and might still be).
This is the Angels’ projected 2025 starting rotation:
1. Yusei Kikuchi
2. Tyler Anderson
3. Jose Soriano
4. Kyle Hendricks
5. Reid Detmers
Washington already named Kikuchi the opening day starter and has the highest contract out of any starting pitcher on the team. The first four starters should be guaranteed in any order, but the fifth spot is up for grabs and Detmers should be the one most likely to secure it.
Detmers has the arsenal to become an amazing pitcher. He’s shown flashes of being the ace the Angels envisioned when he threw a no hitter in 2022 and when he had a 2.12 ERA after his first five starts in 2024.
After that, he imploded and finished with a 6.7 ERA and a -1.1 bWAR. It’s now up to him to earn that last spot and the Angels will look to bank on his natural talent over guys like Jack Kochanowicz and Chase Silseth.
Here are the bullpen locks:
RHP Kenley Jansen
RHP Ben Joyce
RHP Hans Crouse
LHP Jose Quijada
LHP Jose Suarez
LHP Brock Burke
The addition of Jansen at closer with Joyce as the setup guy should be an excellent combo. The young fireballer Joyce will pick up a thing or two from Jansen, as he’s three saves away from 450 in his career.
The Angels have improved with their offseason additions, but it’ll be tough to tell how they’ll fare in what should be a somewhat weakened American League West division.